Goodbye April 2016

Hello lovely people and welcome to the wonderful month of May.

The sun is currently shining and the weather forecast is looking really good, which helps to put me into a good mood. I have a lot of nice things planned for this month and I’m looking forward to a lot of fun with friends and family. Just to make you jealous, I’m finally going to see Adele live in concert and I’m super excited. Everything that gets me out of the house works wonders and I should definitely do more of it, even though my current situation is not the greatest. But again, I won’t give in to depression and will fight for getting back to a happy and fulfilling life.

April was a good month, because I made new wonderful memories and tried to be more positive. Surprise, surprise, I’m still without a job but I won’t give up. I’m planning to take on a different strategy because I really don’t have anything to lose. I need to be bold and stop sticking to the general standard. I was always one to stand out and I have to incorporate this more into my applications. I need to believe in being special and make others see the same in me.

I’m really trying to remind me of all the nice things that happen in my life and not let the negative happenings bring me down. In April, I really enjoyed spending a lot of time with my godson because he makes me forget all my sorrows and I finally got to spend a little quality time with my brother, as well. We checked out Bonn, which is so beautiful with cherry blossom trees everywhere and also visited all my grandparents. It’s nice to make them happy by showing up, after all, you never know how long you’ll have them in your life. Furthermore, one of my highlights was a super fun party night with a friend and we had an awesome time until five in the morning. We got drunk, danced to good music and had a blast, just the way I like it. Overall, the month wasn’t all terrible and I’m looking forward to another great one. Fingers crossed!

I hope you can all enjoy some great weather and make wonderful memories with your loved ones. Try not to focus only on your family, partner, kids or friends, try to include everyone here and there because it’s the combination that makes you the happiest and don’t forget to take care of yourself, as well.

And before I forget, you can now find me on Snapchat. I gave in and joined the fun. If you want to add me, haileyjaderyan is the name to look for. Make sure to tell me your username because I need more Snapchat buddies.

XO Hailey 

Wall art Portland, OR

Lovely life

 Enissa Amani  having a good time with my friends  chatting with others about the 90s  hosting my first and second Twitter chat  Disney soundtracks  cherry blossoms  sibling time without fighting  forgetting all my sorrows when spending time with my godson  getting complimented on my writing  my lovely Twitter friends  dancing contemporary  great party nights  Rebel Wilson in “How to be Single”  seeing the world through my camera  Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn  when your internet is back after a dry spell  travel memories ♥  finding new music  The Jungle Book  Snapchat filters ♥ giftcards 

Songs I love

♪ Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign – Work From Home
♪ Sia feat. Sean Paul – Cheap Thrills
♪  Alan Walker – Faded

Interesting articles

What Really Happened Between Tom Felton and Emma Watson On the Harry Potter Set // TIME 100 Icons Adele by Jennifer Lawrence // The Hunt for “Becky With the Good Hair” Is Sexist and Everyone Needs to Stop // 10 THINGS ONLY THOSE WHO LIVED IN GERMANY UNDERSTAND // What I Know – Why I’m coming clean about the real rape informing my novel, Luckiest Girl Alive // Girlfriends are the new husbands // AN HONEST RELATIONSHIP: HOW TO LOVE AND BE LOVED // How to Raise a Creative Child. Step One: Back Off // Compassionate 70-Year-Old Woman Calms Aggressive Stranger by Holding His Hand // There’s No Need To Sacrifice You In Your Relationships // Head over Hills: The Undying Love Story of Heidi and Spencer Pratt // Taylor & Karlie & Lena: The Romance of Celebrity Female Friendship in the Feminist Selfie Generation // 25 Famous Women on Female Friendship // The Misanthropic Love Story of Daria Morgendorffer and Jane Lane

My April posts

Goodbye March // 9 Things That Made The 90s Awesome // The Disney Princess Tag // Mixtape #11 – 80s Party // Photography: California // Random Ramblings #2 // Rain, Fast Food and a Broken Suitcase – Travelmonth Part One // Rain, Fast Food and a Broken Suitcase – Travelmonth Part Two // Rain, Fast Food and a Broken Suitcase – Travelmonth Part Three // Rain, Fast Food and a Broken Suitcase – Travelmonth Part Four // Rain, Fast Food and a Broken Suitcase – Travelmonth Part Five // Rain, Fast Food and a Broken Suitcase – Travelmonth Part Six // Mixtape #12 – Girlbands // The Single Girl Stigma

My April Instagrams

Instagram April

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The Single Girl Stigma

Love myselfI’m in a relationship with myself. This is what I should answer when people ask me about my love life. And then, I should tell them that it’s non of their business. What annoys me most about the nosiness of others is where this comes from. It comes from a place, where people just expect you to have a partner and it get’s worse, the older you get. I am now 28 and when I tell people I’m happily single, you experience them getting a little nervous, for you. How many times have I heard “You better hurry up then, your clock is ticking.” Dear people, did it ever occur to you that some of us like to be single and even chose to be? It has been my decision for years and trust me, it’s not because I can’t get a guy or hate men. Unfortunately, even though we’re living in the 21st century, it’s still strange to so many people that one is not longing for a relationship, especially when you’re a woman. Some of my friends still don’t get me and can’t get over the fact that I’ve stayed away from guys for six years. For me, it’s not a big deal, for other’s, it’s a stigma because they don’t believe that somebody does not want or need a relationship and assume that something is wrong with you. Well, call me weird as much as you like, but I was never a fan of “the norm.”

I’ve never been someone who talks about having kids or getting married. When you ask me how I see my life, I will tell you that I want to have a career, I want to travel and that I want to be free. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t be with someone, but it’s just so much easier when you’re not. Would it be nice to meet someone who shares the exact same values and would be my equal? Of course it would, but in most cases, you will always have to find a compromise and I’m not really a fan of that. I’m still young and I don’t want to compromise my life. I don’t want to make decisions based on who I am with. I don’t want to be held back but I also don’t expect someone to just sit around waiting for me.

I’ve been in relationships before and they never made me happy. Why should I want something that never made me happy and never fulfilled me? And why do I even have to justify being single in my late twenties? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not generally against relationships. I think they’re great if they’re healthy and make you happy, but I’m often better at making myself happy. Furthermore, I don’t want to fall down the relationship-rabbit-hole. The time-consuming, giving up your life, losing your individuality type of rabbit hole. You all know what I’m talking about. It’s when you call your friend and she just can’t ever make time for you because of her partner. When everyone moves in together, builds houses, has children, goes on vacation and everything evolves around the item that is made of two people. Most couples will tell you that they’re still their own person and that they still have they’re own life but they don’t. They think they do but they don’t. There is always a compromise and I’m not really good compromising with. But hey, at least I’m honest about it.

I’m in a relationship with myself. I do Netflix and chill by myself. I go to the movies by myself. I plan trips by myself. Sure, I have my moments when I think it would be nice to have someone to share this with, but I know that it would take a whole lot to sweep me off my feet. I am also used to being alone, which doesn’t make it any easier to fit someone into your life. I know that I can do anything I’ve set my mind on without the help of a man. Yes, hello feminist, but I think there is nothing worse than being dependable on other people because you always relied on others and are not capable of being alone. Honestly, I have trouble even talking to these type of people, although it doesn’t influence me, at all. I feel sorry for them because being alone can be so freaking great, you should definitely try it sometime. What frustrates me the most is that I will never understand how these people can speak of true love and jump into a new relationship, a week later, after it all fell apart, just because they can’t be alone. When I love someone, I love with all my heart and when it ends, I break and need to grief. If you can give your heart to someone a few days later, don’t speak about love. Speak about your unhealthy inability to be alone.

I am also a true believer of only being able to have a healthy relationship, if you know where you stand in life and what makes you, you. If you have it all figured out and you’re happy with the person that you are, only then should be the right time to let love in. I’m not okay with myself and my life right now, and although I’m a little more open to meeting someone than I used to be, I know it comes from the wrong place. It comes from somewhere where I’m bored because I have too much time. I don’t know what to do with myself and everyone around me is in a relationship, building a life, together, while I have nothing to bring to the table. But I know that as soon as I would be back on track, I’d be annoyed as hell because that’s the terrible single-loving person I can be. Unless he’s perfect but there is no such thing. And probably even then, since perfection also bores me.

Relationships are difficult and yet, they can be so easy. They can be loving, caring and fulfilling but they can also break you into a million tiny pieces. They’re unpredictable, exciting and frightening. I admit, I’m afraid to love, to let me fall, to trust. And if the day comes, where I let someone into my life again, me and everyone around me will probably have a heart attack. I like to be single and I like to rebel against what people expect me to be and do. I don’t want the relationships that others have, that’s pretty much the only thing I’m sure of knowing. Time will tell what the future brings and who knows, maybe I’ll be married in five years and have 3 children. Just kidding – like that is ever going to happen.

I am in a relationship with myself and I wear my stigma with pride. I don’t need another you to find myself because I am myself and I like the relationship I have.

Heartbreaker

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Mixtape #12 – Girlbands

Mixtape #12 GirlbandsI admit, I thought putting together a mixtape with songs from girlbands was easier, but I actually had to do some googleing, since I couldn’t just put in 30 songs from the Spice Girls. I know all of these bands but had just forgotten about some of them. It’s hard to remember groups with only a song or two from back in the days, when girlbands were a lot more popular. I hope this tape will remind you of some oldies that you’ve forgotten about but used to jam out to, all the time. You’ll definitely find their music on YouTube so you can listen to those that don’t sound familiar. You’ll be surprised.

01. Spice Girls – Wannabe
02. All Saints – Never Ever
03. Destiny’s Child – Loose My Breath
04. En Vogue – Don’t Let Go (Love)
05. Fifth Harmony – Sledgehammer
06. The Bangles – Eternal Flame
07. Sugababes – Too Lost In You
08. TLC – Waterfalls
09. Danity Kane – Show Stopper
10. The Pussycat Dolls – Don’t Cha
11. Little Mix – Black Magic
12. Salt ‘n’ Pepa – Shoop
13. Spice Girls – Spice Up Your Life
14. Girl Thing – Last One Standing
15. Atomic Kitten – Whole Again
16. Monrose – Hot Summer
17. The 411 – Dumb
18. t.A.T.u. – All The Things She Said
19. Destiny’s Child – Survivor
20. Girls Aloud – Sound Of The Underground
21. No Angels – Something About Us
22. B*Witched – Blame It On The Weatherman
23. All Saints – Pure Shores
24. Preluders – Everyday Girl
25. Sugababes – Push The Button
26. TLC – No Scrubs
27. Fifth Harmony – Work From Home
28. The Pussycat Dolls – Buttons
29. Queensberry – Too Young
30. Monrose – What You Don’t Know

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Rain, Fast Food and a Broken Suitcase – Travelmonth Part Six

Travel Quote

Four weeks of traveling sound like a long time but they pass by faster than you think. It’s been a crazy ride that I will never forget. Even though I really wanted to go home, I felt a little sad when we took our bus to Boston’s airport and I had to say goodbye to my travel buddy, because we had different flights. This girl had to deal with me for four weeks and trust me, not everyone can handle it. I feel like I know her inside out and this adventure will always keep us connected. People thought we were sisters for a reason. Ok, one person actually thought I was her mother but I can’t remember being pregnant at 8. Seriously, go check your eyesight. When I had to wait for another 8 hours for my flight, my emotions were a roller coaster, as so often during those 13 month in the US. I was scared, happy, relieved and sad all at once and I wasn’t able to sit anymore. Literally. Sitting on the plane to Germany, sitting in the car on my ride home, sitting in general for another week hurt like crazy, but it was worth it.

Things can always go wrong but that’s life. If it’s nothing dramatic, just let it go because otherwise, you’ll ruin the rest of your trip. If you want to, you’ll have a great time, no matter what happens. It doesn’t matter if your phone drops into the toilet, ( yes, this actually happened to my girl, while I was in the stall next to her. When you hear “Oh shit,” you know something is wrong.) or if your suitcase breaks. It doesn’t matter if you can’t visit places for whatever reason, if it rains all the time, if you have swollen feet or loose all willpower and give in to fast food, 24/7. It doesn’t matter if you accidentally buy distilled water, even though it’s not really for drinking but you don’t want to drive somewhere again and drink it anyways, or if you feel uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter if you get pulled over by the cops, you almost run out of gas or can’t manage to get out of the ocean because you’re too clumsy to find the steps to climb the riff and reach the shore. It doesn’t matter if you look like a whale instead of a mermaid, you have to deal with annoying people, you feel exhausted, you end up broke, you have a shower that gives you hot water when you’re already done or if ants took over your stuff. I promise you that you will look back and laugh about every single one of these moments, because there were so many others that were wonderful.

Moments of uncontrollable laughter like when I scared the hell out of my partner in crime, all the time, by sneaking up on her in the craziest ways possible or by just accidentally twitching. When we just laid in bed, laughing about stupid boys or when our travel song “Uma Thurman” came on and we went nuts. When I had to explain to her how to order at Taco Bell or when we ate disgusting Jelly Beans, but had the time of our lives. When I ate more fast food in four weeks than I did in the 12 months before but absolutely loved it. Taco Bell, Panda Express, Burger King, Pizza Hut and everything you can find at your Seven Eleven, next door, or how I like to call it: Bae. I miss you. Right now, I would give a lot for some hot pockets, some Nacho Cheese Doritos and a huge Slurpee. When we saw wild dolphins or zipped over a waterfall in Hawaii. When I bought cute souvenirs to remind me of all the cool places I’ve visited and when we entered our first hotel room, feeling like queens. The most simple moments are what made this adventure the most special. I will treasure every single one of them forever and ever.

Travel Postcards

I loved writing this little travel series because it made me think about all the amazing things that happened and what a great time we had. Nobody can ever take this away from us. I hope you enjoyed reading these posts and if you have any questions about planning, the places or whatever comes to your mind, just ask me. I would be happy to help you out. Make sure to check out part one, two, three, four and five, as well.

Be adventurous. Be curious. Be open. And don’t be afraid to explore the world.

Travelmonth collage

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Rain, Fast Food and a Broken Suitcase – Travelmonth Part Five

Travel Quote

Atlanta was next on the list and it was definitely one of our favorites because the city offers a ton of activities and we were never bored, not even for a second. If you’re staying for two days or more and like to do touristy things, you should definitely get a City Pass because it includes the best attractions and you save good money. Furthermore, most of the important attractions are all close to each other, surrounding the beautiful Centennial Olympic Park and personally, I just loved the whole vibe of it.

Centennial Olympic Park Atlanta

Our first stop was the Fernbank Museum of Natural History and it was a good and relaxed first activity, since it was travel day and we didn’t want too much action. I think it’s always nice to learn something about animals, science and everything else. I admit, I’ve seen better museums but the design of is really nice. Next up was the World of Coca Cola. I’m a sucker for fun brand stores and museums like this and I don’t even know why. Probably because of the huge merchandize stores where you can buy pretty much everything from this particular brand. And I don’t even drink actual Coke, I drink the loser diet Coke. I know, lame. We also got to taste every single drink that the company produces, all around the world and I can assure you that some are really disgusting.

Coca-Cola World Atlanta

We also visited the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world, and it was great. I’m an absolute fan of life under the sea so this was definitely my thing. It’s a fun place and as usual, I tried to take selfies with sting rays. I love how they just look like funny Pokemons. Another cool thing was the CNN tour at world headquarters. Even just going into the building is fun because there is a lot going on. The tour was interesting and gave us a great insight into how the news world works. Did you know that when people wear green in front of a green screen, they become invisible on camera? It pretty much works like Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak. I really think the news should be presented by floating heads. It would be so much more fun to watch.

CNN World Headquarters Atlanta

One of the main reasons why I wanted to visit Atlanta is the fact that Martin Luther King Jr. was born and raised there. He is one of my personal heroes and I wanted to learn and see more about/of him. A great place to start is the Center for Civil and Human Rights. The visit was totally worth it and everyone should go, to learn more about history, about our world, in general and about all those awful things that are terribly wrong with it. Furthermore, we wanted to take a tour through his birth home but the last ticket was given to somebody else, right in front of our nose. I swear that I was definitely upset about this but lucky for us, the young male tour guide was sweet enough to let us join, anyway. In moments like this, it pays off to be a girl, which is not something that happens, too often. The tour was fantastic because he was the best guide I’ve ever taken a tour with. His knowledge was incredible and he was super fun and enthusiastic. There was not one boring moment. Seeing where MLK grew up meant a lot to me and it totally made my day. We also visited his grave and more places that will always be connected to him and the Civil Rights Movement. I felt even more inspired by his greatness and I think it’s awesome how Atlanta celebrates and honors him.

Center for Human and Civil Rights Atlanta Martin Luther King Jr. House AltlantaThe only bad thing I can say about Atlanta is the traffic and people’s non-existing driving skills. I mean, it’s so bad, they even joke about it themselves. I’ve driven in a lot of different places and often cursed American driving but Atlanta was just the epidome of lacking driver’s education. I swear, if you’re a beginner or in general a rather unsure driver, don’t drive there. And of course there are traffic jams, all day long. The way these people drive, there just have to be accidents on a daily basis. And don’t think they watch out for pedestrians because they don’t.

After the vibrant Atlanta came the rather tame Portland, Maine. We said goodbye to our last rental car and boarded our flight to reach the final stop on our list. To be honest, I had enough of driving, anyway. Looking back, I admit that we probably could’ve skipped those last few days because we just wanted to go home. We were exhausted and the closer we got to flying home, the more our impatience grew. But there was no way to shorten our stay so we just had to deal with it.

What did we see of Portland? The Mall, Seven Eleven, a handful of colorful trees and that’s about it. We didn’t have a car anymore and we were just not able to get everywhere we would’ve been interested in. Public Transportation wasn’t the greatest and therefore seeing Portland consisted of an hour in the city, where we pretty much saw nothing, and that was it. But hey, a mall with Panda Express and a cute photobooth was just the right place to be.

Aside from going there, we barely left the bed. Only to grab breakfast or get more junk food. My friend was crazy enough to use the hotel’s gym, though. I always told her that after all we ate, this was a little too late but good for her. I would’ve joined but the bed and Disney Channel wouldn’t let me. I think in those last few days, we actually got our biggest kick out of eating Harry Potter’s disgusting Jelly Beans. We made a challenge out of it and I can assure you, there is nothing worse than the taste of rotten egg. Thinking about the whole stay in Portland now, we should’ve just gotten drunk 24/7 but that wasn’t in our budget. Looking back, I really have to laugh about all of it. It may have been a waste of time, but it was a good way to waste it.

Fall in Portland, MaineHarry Potter Bertie Bott's Beans

Stay around for the final part of my little travel series. If you liked this post, make sure to read part 1, 2, 3 and 4.

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